There are plenty of courses on offer to help you build your skills. Photo: Pressmaster.
CPR Exemptions and Conditions for Limited Tender
Date: 5 August
Time: 9:30 am – noon
Duration: One one-hour face-to-screen session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – MoAD (Old Parliament House)
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) Divisions 1 and 2 are the rules APS officials must follow when procuring. Appendix A lists the exemptions from the rules of Division 2 and from rules 4.7, 4.8 and 7.26 of Division 1.
Limited tender involves approaching one or more potential suppliers directly and requesting they make submissions without having to comply with the process for open tenders. Rules for limited tender are stated in the CPRs and include circumstances where limited tender may be conducted.
This course provides APS officials with the information necessary for applying CPR Exemptions and Conditions for Limited Tender. This learning experience has been provided by the Department of Finance, and is suitable for all staff, including officials who are new to procurement, need a refresher, or want to move to a role in procurement. This course will also benefit officials working in procurement on an ad hoc basis, regular procurers, and delegates.
Probity and Integrity in Procurement
Date: 5 August
Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
Duration: Three-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – MoAD (Old Parliament House)
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course outlines how government funds are under constant scrutiny and uses real examples to demonstrate instances of poor management and decision-making by the APS in the Procurement Lifecycle.
With investigations and audit findings consistently identifying probity issues, this course equips participants undertaking purchasing activities with a set of tools and techniques to manage probity.
This learning experience has been provided by the Department of Finance, and is suitable for all staff, including officials who are new to procurement, need a refresher, or want to move to a role in procurement. It will also benefit APS staff working in procurement or contract management on an ad hoc basis, regular procurers and contract managers, and delegates.
The Professional Executive Assistant
Date: 5 August
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Duration: One seven-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – MoAD (Old Parliament House)
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Executive assistants are an essential part of the APS workforce. As the face of the executive team and the first point of contact for internal and external clients, executive assistants provide a critical support role for senior management and are fundamental to ensuring that the wheels of government run smoothly. Ensuring that the EA/SES partnership is efficient and effective improves overall productivity of the work unit.
This program will provide you with a solid understanding of the APS environment, knowledge of how to maximise your organisational and interpersonal skills, and help to hone your technical skills. You will be provided with a suite of additional tools to achieve your full professional potential.
Through an interactive format, you will learn about the business context of the APS, and develop skills and share high-value work practices required to effectively provide professional executive assistance. A range of approaches will be used, including personal self-awareness tools, presentations from an experienced senior executive assistant, group work activities and presentations.
This content has been provided by a third party in consultation with the APS Academy, and is suitable for APS 3 – APS 6.
Influence, Negotiation and Persuasion for APS Levels
Date: 6 August
Time: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Duration: One seven-hour, face-to-screen session
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Explore ways to improve your influence, with a five-step model of negotiation and the psychology behind persuasion. Learn how to use Whole Brain Thinking to improve your influence, negotiation and persuasion. Build your practical knowledge and experience through discussion and participation.
This content has been provided by a third party in consultation with the APS Academy, and is suitable for APS 3 – APS 6.
Procurement and Contract Management Basics
Date: 6 August
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Duration: Three-hour face-to-screen session
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Procurement and Contract Management Basics aims to provide APS employees with an introduction to Commonwealth procurement and the fundamental knowledge and skills essential for contract management. Awareness and understanding of the Commonwealth Procurement Framework is essential to ensure compliance when APS employees are required to commit and expend federal funds through procurement and undertake contract management activities.
This course has been designed to build the procurement and contract management capabilities of employees as the Commonwealth seeks to deliver more strategic value-for-money outcomes when buying goods and services.
This learning experience has been provided by the Department of Finance, and is suitable for all staff, including officials who are new to procurement, may need a refresher, or want to move to a role in procurement. It will also benefit officials working in procurement on an ad hoc basis, regular procurers, and delegates.
Improving Outcomes & Experiences for At-Risk Children Conference
Date: 6 – 7 August
Time: 9 am – 5 pm
Location: ParkRoyal Darling Harbour, Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Strengthening families and centring the voices of children in system change for a better future.
Children at risk in Australia deserve a brighter future. While there is a growing national effort to improve outcomes for at-risk children, much more needs to be done to strengthen services, systems and support mechanisms, especially in complex cases.
Achieving this requires a collaborative approach that centres the rights and voices of children, addresses intergenerational trauma, and prioritises early intervention. The Improving Outcomes & Experiences for At-Risk Children Conference will bring together senior policymakers, practitioners, providers and services to explore innovative strategies to enhance interagency collaboration, focusing on early intervention, prevention, and best practices for promoting permanency and sustainable reunification.
The conference will also emphasise the importance of listening to and prioritising children’s voices in decision-making, while unpacking culturally safe, trauma-informed, and community-led healing approaches. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge and actionable strategies to support complex child protection and care cases effectively.
Join senior leaders, practitioners and experts from across Australia to advance best practices, ensuring that the rights and voices of children are at the heart of efforts to improve their safety and wellbeing.
Women in Leadership Summit 2025: Retail & FMCG
Date: 11 – 15 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Empowering women to navigate change, drive innovation, and thrive in an evolving industry.
- Learn how to thrive in an evolving retail and FMCG landscape.
- Leave inspired and ready to take on complex challenges.
- Discover strategies to build resilience and confidence.
- Develop your skill set to excel in a fast-paced work environment.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Workshop
Date: 13 – 14 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Unpack critical thinking as a mental process and set of action steps to address everyday problems.
- Discover practical tools and outcome-driven models.
- Clearly define problems and evaluate the impact of solutions.
- Use collaborative approaches to identify and resolve issues.
- Overcome common roadblocks and practice continuous reflection.
Trainer Kym Viant is an expert in leadership development, with a decorated and distinguished career in the Royal Australian Navy spanning more than 25 years. He has led and inspired thousands of leaders and managers, ranging from emerging talents to senior executives. With nearly a decade dedicated to leadership consultancy, Kym possesses a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in this field. Currently, he is the managing director of Kym Viant Consulting, where he supports leaders in both the public and private sectors.
NSW Women in Leadership Workshop
Date: 14 – 15 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Enhance your effectiveness as a leader in an evolving professional landscape.
- Develop your individual leadership style.
- Build confidence to lead authentically and effectively.
- Learn the art of confident communication.
- Strengthen your ability to influence.
Trainer Chloe Blake is a certified organisational and mental fitness coach. For more than two decades, she has worked in human resources and leadership development across a range of industries. Chloe now partners with businesses in a coaching, consulting and facilitation capacity.
Chloe has worked in Europe, New Zealand and Australia and no matter the country or industry, her partners thoroughly value the energy, experience and zest she brings to her role. Chloe enables people to reach their highest potential. Through her expert facilitation, you can walk away with the capacity to perform at your best for yourself, your teams, and your organisations.
Cultural Competence & Awareness for Government
Date: 19 – 20 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Champion inclusivity and boost collaboration in diverse work environments.
- Enhance your understanding to create an inclusive workplace.
- Engage effectively with First Nations and intercultural communities.
- Map cultural preferences to recognise their impact on workplace interactions.
- Utilise communication to bridge cultural differences and enhance collaboration.
Trainer Suzanne Naden is a proud Yuin woman, raised on Darkinjung Country, and has strong family connections across the South Coast, Worimi Nation, and La Perouse Mission. As CEO of the Bungree Aboriginal Association and principal consultant at Suzanne Naden – Land and Resource Management, she has more than 20 years of experience in governance, land management, and cultural heritage.
Trainer Joost Thissen is the founding partner of Culture Resource Centre, which specialises in intercultural learning and development. With more than 25 years of experience, Joost focuses on enhancing intercultural competence in individuals, teams and organisations.
She believes that multiculturalism and globalisation require professionals to adopt multiple perspectives and a global mindset. Joost holds a master’s degree in business sociology and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
